Maurice to the rescue

WELL DONE. . . Oldham Rotarian Maurice Beverley with his award

AN Oldham Rotarian used his first-aid skills to help save the life of a heart attack victim after a night at the theatre became a real-life drama.

Maurice Beverley, a Heartstart Oldham instructor, has been presented with an award following his quick-thinking actions.

He was on holiday in New York with his wife, Norma, and friends where they attended the musical “Wicked” at the Gershwin Theatre on October 8.

Part-way through the first act, there was a disturbance as people stood up in the centre stalls — but Maurice’s party thought it was part of the play.

However, shouts of “house lights” and “doctor” stopped the show and they realised something was wrong.

Maurice, spotting a man slumped in his seat, rushed to help.

The stricken man was carried into the reception and Maurice’s Emergency Life Support (ELS) skills came into play.

Regaining consciousness, the casualty explained he had recently had a heart attack for which he was taking medication and that during the day he had not been very well and had taken extra medication.

Asking for an ambulance to be called, and worried he may slip back into unconsciousness, Maurice placed the casualty in the recovery position.

He said: “I stayed with him, trying to calm and reassure him, until the paramedics arrived a few minutes later. I briefed them and then returned to my seat.”

His friend Harry Briggs said: “Maurice clearly demonstrated the importance of the Heartstart emergency life support skills and his prompt action may well have helped to save a man’s life.”

This week, Maurice was presented with a Recognition of Achievement award by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) at the Rotary Christmas meal at Smokies Park Hotel.

BHF community resuscitation coordinator Kevin Fitzpatrick, who made the presentation, told him: “On the scene you not only used your practical ELS skills but also took command of the situation ensuring the best possible treatment for the casualty.

“I am sure that all the Heartstart Oldham team are proud of your actions as they were in the true spirit of both Rotary and Heartstart UK.”

Heartstart UK is a BHF initiative to provide ELS training, a set of actions needed to keep someone alive in an emergency, to the general public.

Heartstart Oldham holds between 40 and 50 training sessions each year, under supervision from the Royal Oldham Hospital..